Corporate activism

Abstract

Corporate activism refers to public stances on divisive socio-political issues made by business actors, and it can take different forms, such as campaigns or individual statements. When such stances are expressed publicly, the reactions from stakeholders are typically two-fold, conveying both support and opposition. The societal consequences of corporate activism are currently much less well-known than the business implications, but business actors have directly tried to influence legislation and public opinion, as well as individual actors. As creating divisive responses on purpose goes against the traditional wisdom of corporate communication, the question about the motives of corporate activism has also become relevant. The emerging topics of corporate activism include, for example, the role of business actors in armed conflicts. As the field evolves, the critical questions include the limits of companies’ roles as activists.